An iconic Grand Designs house has hit the market for £1.5 million after a 20-year renovation project.
Green Dragon Barn in South Hams, Devon, was transformed from three connected barns by Sue Charman and Martin Whitlock. It has since been praised as "the perfect home" by fans.
The pair took on the mammoth renovation task in 2001, when the property featured on Kevin McCloud's show. After two decades, the eco-project has been completed and is now listed for sale.
The decision came after Sue sadly died in 2023, and Martin chose to embark on a new chapter elsewhere.
The five-bedroom property boasts a large kitchen area which connects to an incredible 30-foot reception room, kitted out with an oak floor and wood-burning stove.
The lucky buyer can also enjoy an atrium and grand hall with dramatic pillar features.
Sue and Martin enlisted architect Adrian Slocombe of Earthway Design to navigate building on the sloping landscape.
Martin explained they chose the location in 2000 because they wanted to be near the sea and Totnes.
Green Dragon Barn has been described as 'perfect' by property enthusiasts
Stags Estate Agents
'Something on the scale of Green Dragon Barn is really a once-in-a-lifetime project'
Stags Estate Agents
"The barn was a complete wreck - actually three barns built together over three centuries - and a bigger project than we were planning, but it allowed us to really go to town and create some stunning rooms," he said.
When Grand Designs host Kevin McCloud revisited the home in 2021, after last seeing it in 2001, he said: "This is a home lovingly, painstakingly, time-consumingly transformed. Resplendent with 20 years of devoted care."
Martin explained the gradual nature of their renovation approach. "Although it took 20 years, it wasn't 20 years of work on the house," he said.
"We moved into two rooms in 2001 and gradually expanded out from there as we found time to do the work in our busy lives."
"So every so often there would be new rooms or features to enjoy. A real adventure."
The couple focused on environmental sustainability throughout the renovation. Martin stated: "Sue was passionate about environmental issues and we were determined to make the house as natural and sustainable as possible."
Indeed, the property uses traditional materials including lime, stone, cob, slate, and thatch, while incorporating modern features like double glazing, a reed bed, heat recovery system, and wood pellet boiler.
Green-thumbed buyers may also be enticed by the property's 1.3 acre garden and accompanying orchard.
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'This is a rare opportunity to own a home of genuine architectural significance and enduring quality'
Stags Estate Agents
Green Dragon Barn is now listed by Stags Estate Agents near Blackawton village, which offers a primary school, parish church, and traditional pub.
Kingsbridge lies seven miles west, whilst Totnes sits seven miles north with a mainline railway station providing direct London services.
Considering his future in property, Martin said: "I can't imagine living in any house that I didn't want to make changes to, so I'm open to a new project if I can find one.
"But whatever happens it will be a lot smaller - something on the scale of Green Dragon Barn is really a once-in-a-lifetime project."
Stags described Green Dragon Barn as an "exceptional" detached property, with both "generous and highly flexible" accommodation.
"Lovingly" crafted by "visionaries" Sue and Martin, the South Hams property is not one to bypass.
Praising its "eco-conscious design and striking architectural detail", the estate agents offered the ultimate praise.
"This is a rare opportunity to own a home of genuine architectural significance and enduring quality," they said.
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